Beatrice Man Sentenced 26 to 41 Years for Sexual Assault

Friday

Dec 7, 2012 at 1:30 PMDec 7, 2012 at 1:31 PM

Attorney General Jon Bruning today announced Joseph J. Buttercase, 30, of Beatrice, was sentenced to 20 to 30 years in prison for one count of first-degree sexual assault, four to five years for one count of false imprisonment, 20 months to five years for one count of strangulation and one year for one count of third-degree domestic assault.

Attorney General Jon Bruning today announced Joseph J. Buttercase, 30, of Beatrice, was sentenced to 20 to 30 years in prison for one count of first-degree sexual assault, four to five years for one count of false imprisonment, 20 months to five years for one count of strangulation and one year for one count of third-degree domestic assault. The sentences will run consecutively. In August, a jury found him guilty of the charges in Gage County District Court.

“This man brutally beat a woman for hours before sexually assaulting her,” said Bruning. “Today’s sentence sends a clear message that violence against women will not be tolerated in the State of Nebraska. This is an appropriate sentence for the seriousness of these crimes.”

In July 2011, Buttercase assaulted the victim in his home over a period of more than three hours. The victim was punched in the face, head-butted, slammed onto the floor and strangled to near unconsciousness. At the conclusion of the extensive beating, she was violently sexually assaulted.

More than 100 exhibits were offered into evidence during the four-day trial, including blood and semen samples. After a deliberation of just two and a half hours, jurors delivered a guilty verdict.